Hiroyoshi Tenzan Announces Retirement, Last Match Set For August 15 in Ryogoku

By: Ian McCord

On May 11th, New Japan Pro Wrestling legend Hiroyoshi Tenzan announced that he will be retiring from in-ring competition and plans to have his final match on August 15th in Ryogoku.

During a special press conference, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi explained that during Tenzan’s rehabilitation of knee and back injuries, he realized a full recovery and return to the ring would not be possible and came to the decision that it was time to step away from the squared circle.

Tenzan had his first singles match for NJPW in 1991 and would flourish as a performer in the years to follow. He became one of the promotion’s top stars, winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice and the IWGP Tag Team Championships an unprecedented twelve times. Tenzan is also a three-time winner of the G1 Climax tournament.

A very thankful Hiroyoshi Tenzan addressed his big news during the press conference, stating that if there’s anything he can do to assist NJPW post-retirement he’d appreciate the opportunity to help out the promotion.

From Hiroyoshi Tenzan:

“Thank you for coming today. It’s been 35 years for me in wrestling, but on August 15, I will officially retire. I don’t know whether it’s been a long 35 years or if it’s gone by in a flash, but I know that I’ve had so much support from so many people, and I’m so very thankful. I came into this business not knowing right from left, but to come as far as I did, and to have lived as a pro-wrestler is something that I’m truly grateful for. If there’s anything that I can do after I retire to help NJPW in any way then I would appreciate the chance.”

(English Translation via NJPW)

Tenzan announced his retirement 36 years to the day after his official start date with the NJPW Dojo in 1990, which seems like a fitting start to the final chapter of his professional wrestling career.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan’s final match will take place on August 15th at Ryogoku Sumo Hall during the Semi-Finals of this year’s G1 Climax. There has been no official announcement on who his opponent or opponents will be, however Tenzan hinted that he would like the match to be a singles match.